2026 Real-World Test: 3 Live Transcription Costs Compared—Free, NT$100/Hour, or Human Transcription?

Turning Meeting Recordings into Transcripts: Save Time or Save Money?

Hong Kong office workers have meetings every day, and writing transcripts afterward is a nightmare. I've tried several apps, and many only support Mandarin—Cantonese is either not recognized or recognized with ridiculous errors. People on Dcard have shared free AI transcription methods, but some require installing programs, and others require setting up APIs yourself, which not everyone can handle.

In fact, transcription solutions today fall into three main categories: free tools, usage-based AI services, and manual transcription. Each differs in cost, accuracy, and convenience. Let's break them down one by one.

Before Choosing a Tool, Check These 3 Key Points

1. Language Support: Do you primarily record Cantonese or Mandarin? Many Taiwanese or mainland Chinese tools focus only on Mandarin, and Cantonese accuracy is far worse. Yating focuses on Taiwanese accents, including Mandarin, Taiwanese, and mixed Chinese-English. If your meetings are in Mandarin, it's suitable; but if you often speak Cantonese, think carefully.
2. Pricing Model: Some are free but have limitations (e.g., real-time recording only), some charge per minute/hour, and some require a monthly fee. Human transcription is charged per minute, and the more urgent, the more expensive.
3. Data Privacy: AI tools require uploading audio files to the cloud. If your company meetings involve confidential information, check the privacy policy carefully. Yating claims data is not transferred outside Taiwan, but if you're concerned, you can choose the offline free software Buzz, which processes everything locally.

Yating: Free Real-Time Recording, NT$100/Hour for Uploaded Audio

Developed by a Taiwanese team, this service's biggest selling point is its support for Taiwanese accents, plus automatic punctuation and speaker identification. I tested it with a five-minute Mandarin meeting, and the output was basically usable, with only a few typos to fix.

As for pricing, if you only use the "real-time recording" feature (i.e., recording while in the meeting), it's completely free. But if you upload audio files for transcription, you get 20 minutes of free transcription time upon registration, after which it costs NT$100 per hour. There's no time limit, and purchased hours are valid for 3 years. For example, if you record 10 one-hour meetings per month, the monthly cost would be NT$1,000—much cheaper than human transcription.

It also has a bonus: you can use a Chrome extension to record Google Meet or online presentations, which is convenient for remote meetings. However, note that it primarily targets Mandarin, not Cantonese—something Hong Kong users must know.

Other Options: Free but with Trade-offs, or Expensive but Accurate

Buzz: A free offline software shared by a teacher on Dcard. It's free, has no file size limits, and can be paired with ChatGPT for summaries. The downsides are a basic interface, longer transcription times, and the need to install the program yourself. It's suitable for students or individual users who want completely free and don't mind spending time.

Human Transcription: If you need 100% accuracy or the recording is in Cantonese, consider manual transcription. Based on rates on task platforms, general interviews cost NT$15-30 per minute, multi-person meetings NT$25-50 per minute, with rush orders costing extra. For a one-hour meeting, you're looking at NT$900-1,800—much more expensive than AI services, but you get accuracy and customizable formatting.

Pitfall Guide: 3 Common Mistakes When Choosing a Transcription Solution

1. Assuming All AI Understands Cantonese: Many tools claim multi-language support, but in practice, Cantonese is riddled with errors. If you often record Cantonese, test with a free trial first before paying.
2. Ignoring Billing Units: Some services charge per "minute," others per "hour," and some have monthly plans with included minutes. Yating charges per hour of audio length, but if you only use real-time recording, it's free. Calculate your usage before choosing.
3. Choosing Cheap Manual Transcription Without Specifying Format: If you don't specify whether you need timestamps or verbatim transcription including filler words, the delivered work may not meet your needs. So be sure to write clear requirements before placing an order.

Summary: How Should You Choose?

If your meetings are primarily in Mandarin and you want to save money and be convenient, Yating is the most balanced choice—real-time recording is free, uploaded audio is charged, and it supports Taiwanese accents and automatic punctuation. If you don't want to spend any money and don't mind installing software and waiting, try Buzz. If you need professional recordings for legal, medical, or other purposes, or if the content is in Cantonese, human transcription, though expensive, is the only way to guarantee accuracy.

One last reminder: Yating offers 20 minutes of free upload time. Use it to test your recordings before deciding whether to purchase more hours. Don't pay upfront.

References

• Free AI Transcription (with Timestamps) for Meeting Minutes! - Teacher Forum | Dcard
• Free Transcription with Buzz! - Teacher Fang, Teaching with Style (@changsheng0612) | Dcard
• Yating: Online Speech-to-Text Service, Pricing Explained! | All-in-One AI Tool Guide - Future Commerce
• Three Useful AI Tools Recommended (Summaries, Presentations, Transcripts) - Graduate School Forum | Dcard
• How Much Does Transcription Cost? 2026 Latest Rates and Quotes | Tasker